ME TO YOU

Many years ago when Judy and I were at Christ Center in Lexington, Kentucky, we spent days throughout the week and every weekend ministering at a place called “Davis Bottoms.” It was a neatly tucked away poverty area that was hidden from the beautiful homes and horse farms Lexington is known for. The living conditions were horrendous.

As we went down to Davis Bottoms to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Judy and I, as well as others, became aware the people knew the gospel better than we did. Almost every church, every ministry in Lexington made an effort to proclaim the message to these poor folks, not realizing they could easily recite it back to us. These were back in the days when sin was highlighted, thus if you didn’t repent, if you didn’t turn, you burned.

By and large, the Church has forgotten the Good News! The Church has forgotten the love and the compassion of the One whom we are following. Jesus preached a message that called for repentance because the Kingdom of God was at hand, and that was something wonderful to embrace. He preached a message of hope, of fulfilled dreams, a new way of living, a relationship that made sense of life, of why we are here.

For years now, we have not highlighted sin. How much better to speak words of life to people, to encourage them that God is on their side, that He loves them beyond their imagination, and has a magnificent destiny for them that He designed before the universe was spoken into being. People are aware of their sin. Our job is to make them aware of a Savior who understands that, and has made a way for them to be forgiven. It’s not turn or burn, it’s turning to Him who thoroughly understands the human condition and committed the most unbelievable act to set us free.

“God showed His love for us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) What a remarkable statement! God’s love was directed toward us, not when we had it all together, but when we had no way out. Isn’t there a call upon us to show that same love toward those who don’t have it together? This is why we lose the battle when we judge others, condemn others, punish others, put conditions on others that Jesus never put on us. The Body of Christ will never convince the world that we have an authentic message until they see us living out what we have been so freely given. Like Paul, you and I must manifest the reality that, “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives within me.” This is what those around us need to see.

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                      John

I remember at an early age my mom getting drunk, at times passed out on the floor, and of course, the fighting with my dad. They divorced when I was seven. My dad got custody of my sister and me.  Shame broke into my life in a big way and shaped my life for years to come.  I’ve always said that living with my aunt and uncle in Greenville, Mississippi was an oasis in my life. It brought sanity and stability to a boy who desperately needed it.I detest shame.  I know people deal with it in countless different ways, but the bottom line is that it leaves you bound.  The extremes are being the life of the party to a wallflower over in the corner.  Though you never really know who suffers with shame, it would be wonderful for everyone, particularly believers, to submit to some godly ministry and counsel led by the Holy Spirit.We are in the beginning of forming a SOZO Team that would lovingly and powerfully lead people to freedom from shame as well as so many other debilitating issues in the lives of people all around us.  Shortly after being born from above I was fortunate enough to find healing through someone gifted in “sozo-like” praying.  Judy and I both have experienced sozo ministry out in Redding.  I like it because it is Holy Spirit led, with the facilitator there simply to help move things along.  It really becomes something between you and the Holy Spirit.  Some have dramatic breakthroughs and healings, others more the beginning of a process.Until we are up and running with the Team, I want to encourage all of us to not let any ongoing, deep-seeded issues dictate the kind of life we live.  On most Sunday mornings we sing about freedom.  Freedom usually comes when we expose the fears, the shame, anger, rage, addictions etc. that control us on so many levels.  Men, don’t let pornography rob you of a full life before God, wife, family and those around you.  What is embarrassing is never exposing these areas to those you know love you, are spiritually mature, and has your best interest at heart.  I’m convinced pride is the primary enemy we men have to overcome.I have said many times how grateful I am for doctors, and mental health professionals, particularly those who profess Christ.  But I also want us to see the release of God’s power for healing and deliverance within the Body of Christ for us and for those who don’t yet know Him.  Let God do in you what He wants so He can do through you what He wants for those around you? What is even better than singing about freedom, is being free!

Love,

         John

We use the word breakthrough a lot.  Because we are doing our best to pursue all God has for us, and what He wants to do through us—we need breakthroughs!  Here at WellSpring, we have been pressing in to see more in the area of healing.  We have seen God do some wonderful things when we have prayed, but our hearts were eager for the miraculous, “no-mistaking” power of God to dramatically bring healing to those in need. I am thrilled to say, we have received big-time breakthroughs, and it’s just the beginning!  About two months ago a twelve year old came into our meeting on crutches with a broken foot.  She received prayer at the end of the meeting and found herself walking, able to leap on that foot, absolutely crutch free!  She has recently been dismissed by the doctor.  Her dad’s back at the same meeting was mightily touched.  He was literally amazed at God’s power to heal.  A member of WellSpring received prayer for degenerative discs on his spine that had plagued him for years, and again, was not only healed, but the doctor said he had the healthy discs of a twenty-five year old.  After prayer another man recently was free of all pain in a knee that had caused him a great deal of trouble.  The mother of a member of our church walked with great difficulty because of the effects of a broken hip a year ago.  Her left knee was also effected because of abnormal pressure bearing upon it.  She particularly experienced pain going up steps, and pivoting a certain way.  After prayer she was able to walk normally, go up and down steps, and pivot without pain.   I am listing these healing breakthroughs to honor what God has done, and to thank Him for strengthening our faith for those who needed His miraculous touch.  Those that I have listed continue to be set free from the affliction and pain they had been suffering.  We see that our faith for healing has increased more than ever, knowing God loves this even more than we do!Lastly, I just want to say, this is just the beginning.  We are surrounded by countless numbers of people within and outside the Church who are hurting–physically, emotionally, financially, spiritually.  The New Testament explodes off the pages describing believers lovingly and aggressively bringing God’s power into everyday life—faithfully extending His Kingdom as the Holy Spirit led them.  That’s also our assignment, isn’t it?  May our lives be filled with ever increasing testimonies so we can encourage emerging generations who will certainly go beyond the legacy we are leaving behind.

God is so wonderful. He can take the devastating events in our lives and turn them for our good and for His glory. Let me tell you what He did for us at the beginning of our new year, 2009. While most of us at WellSpring were at a conference, winds of tornado strength moved right across our church property leaving a wake of uprooted trees, one destroying the roof of our carport. We came back fully shocked at the carnage displayed on our land, as well as other areas in the neighborhood.

The very next day the owner of the property assessed the damage, then immediately coordinated resources and workers to begin the hard work of clearing the land. Though we had been trying to do this kind of clearing for close to two years with little to show for it, God brought it about through a tornado. There were three trees right next to our meeting facility that concerned us a great deal. They were not only a threat to our facility, but one had a huge hanging limb that could easily have penetrated the roof if it had snapped. All three trees were removed!There are so many accounts in Scripture where God turned around a season of darkness, agonizing times of trial into blessings. Dare I mention almost every follower of God in the Old and New Covenant? Think of one and I guarantee you will recall a defining trial in their life. You will also recall how God moved on their behalf and turned the trial into a victory, not only for them but often for an entire nation.More than once Judy and I have had to overcome anxiously biting our fingernails down to the nub by turning to God, then seeing a marvelous deliverance take place. At the time it has always seemed scary, if not impossible. Yet, God has a way of turning a tornado into a blessing. It must be said that trusting God is not for the fainthearted.Recently, I was in the office of a pastor friend of mine. On his wall was a framed essay titled “Don’t Ever Quit!” As Kris Vallotton would say, “Now, that’s a good word.” No matter the trial, no matter the pain or heartbreak, we as followers of Jesus are not allowed to give up. It’s not an option. Will things always turn out as we imagine? No. However, trusting the One who loves you more than you can comprehend will give you the strength to go on, and somewhere in God’s vast economy, it will turn out for good. That’s victory!John 

2009!  What exciting, joyous, healing, hurting, anxious, demanding things will this new year bring us?  Better yet, how will we respond to them?  Paul drove home the principle of being content in all things, in all circumstances.  In my mind, that includes the mountain tops as well as the valleys.  Another way to ask this is, “Am I to live and fulfill God’s commission for my life only when I am doing good?”  I, like most of us in the faith, struggle with maintaining a contentment in my life as I pursue being more than a conqueror.  I realized a long time ago that the world has figured us out, that they can usually tell if we are the real deal or not.  I think most of the rebellion of children in Christian families comes about because they see the hypocracy of their parents.  If we can’t fool the children in our own home, neither can we fool those outside the church.  We can put on a nice face and quote scripture, but most people are perceptive enough to see what lurks within our hearts, good or bad.  Bill Johnson is fond of saying, “What goes on around us is according to what is going on within us.”  If there is chaos within us, this is likely what we will produce externally.  If we are depressed, what will those around us touch?  If we are content within, that contentment will assuredly be experienced by those around us.  The truth is, it’s refreshing to be around those who carry this remarkable peace even when they themselves travel in and out of the valleys of their own life.Jesus made a remarkable statement, He said, “Don’t worry!”  That doesn’t compute with most of His followers today.  In relationship to not worrying, Jesus said, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness,” which must mean that much of our life of discontentment comes about because we are pursuing the wrong things.  Since each day has enough trouble of its own, it would be worthwhile to figure this contentment thing out.What I’m hoping for us in 09 is more and more revelation about living in contentment when all hell is going on around us.  Years ago a teacher taught that there is a place we can position ourselves as thermostats rather than as thermometers.  When trials come, and they will, how do we respond?  As a thermostat, I set the atmosphere of the life around me; I’m not governed by it.  Thermometers are effected by the atmosphere, thermostats effect the atmosphere.  This is Jesus saying, “Don’t worry, trust Me, sow into my Kingdom and live the life available to you as a son or daughter!” When we are strapped financially, a relationship is shipwrecked, or we suffer the loss of a loved one, it’s very difficult to live more than a conqueror, isn’t it?  Jesus says, “Don’t worry” and Paul says, “Don’t be anxious.”  They can’t be liars, so this peace, this contentment in the midst of circumstances is possible.  I believe these are the times to draw near to God, which is difficult when it hasn’t been practiced.  It’s also a time to trust His promises (Make a list pertaining to your specific problem or need).  It’s also a time to be accountable to one or more whom you deeply respect in the Lord, who knows you, will love you, and have your best interest at heart.  Countless times Judy and I have been befriended by those whom we trust and honor in times of crisis.  It’s great to know you are not alone in the valley.  Heck, God even prepares a table for us there. One last thing.  God is never punishing you or condemning you for the situation you may find yourself.  Yes, we do bring much on ourselves, but even then God is loving us and committed to seeing us come through it….if we turn to Him.  He is not known as El Shaddai,  the “All sufficient one,” the “One who is more than enough,” for nothing.   Come on 2009, we’re ready!                                                                                  Love, John

I have been very impacted by attending WellSpring School of Supernatural Ministry. Yes, we have been at this for over a month now, and it has blessed me beyond all expectations. Jon and Joanna, who went through the school out at Bethel have done a phenomenal job in leading us in worship and facilitating each session. Those of us going through the class, and will be for nine months, have bonded in a meaningful way.Our first assigned book to read was The World Aflame, by Rick Joyner. I had no idea how dramatic and Holy Spirit driven the Welsh revival was, and its impact throughout the world. Our second book has been When Heaven Invades Earth, by Bill Johnson. Now, I read this book when it first came out, but this second reading has opened up things I missed previously. Preparing for a book report caused me to read it more carefully, underlining almost everything on every page. Let me list some of the things that need to get into the thinking of those who are faithfully following the One who transformed our lives:

Judy and I recently lost a very close friend. John Kempf was a remarkable person. He and his wife Nancy came into our lives somewhere around thirty years ago when we lived in Northern Virginia. We four were excited about the charismatic renewal, as well as the emphasis back then concerning accountability and spiritual authority. Our common pursuit of God brought us together and we consequently became close friends.John was unique among all of God’s creatures. He was serious about God, had a love and concern about God’s people, and had a phenomenal ability to connect with those outside the Church. Though Judy and I were unable to make the funeral, Nancy was amazed at the number of people John had impacted over the years who were from every spectrum of life.He had his own private world where for years he had gotten up close and personal with people who may or may not have known his Savior, but certainly knew John’s love and acceptance.John was a natural….a man fashioned by God who, when He finished making John, tossed away the mold never to be duplicated again. He was so fun to be with. I have described John as one who constantly made you chuckle. He loved frogs. I don’t know why unless his love for gardening made him affectionate for these garden “hoppers.” For years, Judy and I would look for frogs in stores throughout the year, and whichever absurd frog caught our attention was sent to John for Christmas. When we would stop in for a visit, he knowing each by name, would bring them all out and line them up on the living room couch. Then each one with John’s encouragement would perform. There was a child-like, mischievous glee within John that I’m sure was not only for us down here, but is being thoroughly exercised up before the throne of God. Those in heaven are chuckling because of John, even as I write.However, John was very serious about his faith. He deeply loved God with all of his heart, and the continual unfolding of His Kingdom on earth. It frustrated him when the Church that was to be the light of the world would itself inflict injury upon those within, while at the same time portray such a false representation of Jesus to those outside looking on. It didn’t dampen his hope, but it did cause him to shake his head and go on.John’s shining moment to me was when he sacrificed his time and energy to care for their daughter, Kathy when she was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. He was totally at her disposal, driving her to and from doctor’s appointments and treatments, gaining tons of information about health foods, grocery shopping, cooking for her and the family, and garnering prayer throughout the whole period of time. What a remarkable and willing sacrifice both he and Nancy made. John also had a way with kids, and was an absolute delight to his own grandchildren, able to connect with them up to his death at the age of seventy five. His son Robert is almost a “spitting image” of his dad, not only in looks, but also in the chuckle department.There is so much that could be written about John, but suffice to say, Judy and I lost a friend. It’s difficult knowing John is not up the road in Roanoke, Virginia. But as we Christians are able to say, we will once again see John, and it will be a hoot!Sadly, we also lost Chloe our cat who lived the better part of nineteen years. She died of kidney failure which caused a complication of problems, but never broke her will. It’s too long of a story to go into, but over the years she won me over. She was our neighbor’s cat when we first moved here, yet somehow, when our neighbors left town, she became ours. Part of the reason she became ours is that John Kempf shamed us into feeding her early on, thus she camped out at our house far more than our neighbors.She was an outside cat the whole time, and I’m convinced she lived so long because of drinking chlorine out of our swimming pool. There was never a dog she didn’t despise, and quickly made it known to each canine who was boss. She use to bring all kinds of surprises to our back door, but in her later years simply meowed for food. She was brave, and I feel guilty I didn’t give more of myself to her. I wish I had at least given her a whole lot more of affection…a whole lot more! If pets go to heaven, and I’m thinking they might, I hope Chloe will treat me better than I treated her. I buried her in our backyard, and when I get the chance, I want to make it a nice resting place for our beloved adopted, black cat with stylish white spots…who despised dogs.Love,John 

 I love the Body of Christ. A lot of Christians today, many I highly respect, are very disenchanted with the Church. It’s easy to understand because it has more flaws than a diamond cut by a nervous one-armed jeweler. More than once the Church has embarrassed itself before the scrutiny of those within and those outside looking on. Yet, Jesus absolutely loves His Body, His Church, His Bride.Many a believer has given up on the Church and identifies only with Christ and the proclamation of His Kingdom. There is something right about that, yet something amiss. Maybe part of the problem in the U.S is the predominance of a church model that seems to provide religious ardor, but in reality has a minimal of God’s presence and a glaring lack of power. It’s easy to think doing good works is a measure of genuine faith. Countless community and governmental programs do good works on the same level as churches, often exceeding and accomplishing much more.I have often said we must love the Church because Jesus loves the Church. Why? Because it’s His Body…He founded it! The problem stems from how we do church. We have made the Church into our own image, often a corporate image that has little of the beauty, life and power designed by it’s Head. While the wineskin is important, to create church life void of the Holy Spirit, the Wine, is like leaving Jesus out of the cross. The church in the west is simply one of the countless good organizations that may serve the community, but absent the life, authority, and power we read about in the New Testament. We can pound the pulpit espousing the Bible, God’s word until we are blue in the face, but its effect is minimal apart from the inspiring anointing of the Holy Spirit.I have been sensing for some time now a dramatic shift in the landscape of the Church. A shift that will intensify the Holy Spirit’s activity to a new level where leaders, pastors, and members will be forced to make decisions they would rather not make. This intensity will excite and strengthen willing hearts to invade every sphere of society, even for the discipling of nations. No longer will it be palatable to sit in pews waiting for the sermon to be over right at the noontime hour so natural hunger will be satisfied, rather than spiritual. Worship will take on a whole new dimension of importance as the spiritually hungry will press in deeper and deeper toward God’s heart for the intimacy He makes so readily available.While I am tremendously grateful for the insight and direction the Holy Spirit has given to Judy and me all these years, I’m amazed how He has opened our hearts these past several years for so much more than we could ever have imagined. I so long for the Church which today has such a tarnished reputation to emerge into the beautiful Bride that Jesus has called to Himself. His Bride will give all her attention to her Bridegroom, living in His presence and demonstrating His love and power to a hurting and skeptical world. “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Eph 1:22,23) How absolutely awesome is His Church!

One thing I know is that you can’t play it safe following Jesus. He requires from us a reckless abandonment. An African Impala is a beautiful, powerful animal that can jump as high as ten feet and leap as far as thirty feet. Yet, when enclosed behind a three foot wall, it won’t leap over it because it refuses to leap where it can’t see the landing. Reckless abandonment means trusting God even when we don’t know where we will land.We have a little girl in our church who doesn’t know what she can’t do. Running, laughing, dancing, twirling around like a top is second nature to her…she is an absolute delight. She is full of life and unafraid! Isn’t that pleasing to the Lord, a reckless abandonment as we pursue Him and His purposes?As we know, Jesus terrified the disciples as He walked near them on the water in the middle of a storm. They thought He was a ghost. Peter surprisingly asks Jesus if he can come to Him on the water. Jesus says, “Come.” We know what happened. So, was Peter stupid for getting out of the boat, or was he exercising reckless abandonment? I’m sure the other disciples looked upon Peter as foolish, while Jesus was thinking, “Atta boy Peter, keep on coming!” What does this mean for us? Someone said that the richest place in a town or city is not the Jewelry store, the bank, or the country club, it’s the cemetery. It’s full of riches that people took with them to the grave, such as great songs never written, priceless pieces of art work never created, great achievements in every field of life never fulfilled, awesome exploits by believers never realized. How tragic to have gone to your grave without getting out of the boat and attempting to accomplish your dreams.The thing is, when you get out of the boat, you never know if you’re going to succeed or crash and burn. That’s what makes our walk of faith exciting and frightening all at the same time. Yet, to God, what is most important is that you got out of the boat. Jesus didn’t forsake Peter when he started to sink, and you can believe He won’t let us sink…if we call out to Him! Often times He is our last resort. So, if you are in the water, good for you! If you seem to be sinking, it’s ok, Jesus is nearby ready to give you a hand.Judy and I have lived a life of reckless abandonment before and after marriage, sometimes seemingly too reckless. For us it’s been a way of life. Many times we thought we were sinking. Our decisions, which seemed so right at the moment, didn’t go the way we thought. Yet, today we can declare without hesitation God’s faithfulness. He has always, always seen us through our water walking.Some of you got out of the boat in the past and are determined never to get out again, it was a bad experience. You made a wholehearted commitment and it turned sour. Sorry about that, but you must get out because you have been called to a life of reckless abandonment, it’s the nature of our journey. Go on, get out! Jesus is saying. “Come!”

Love,

John 

Forty years ago, God blatantly broke into my life in a very dramatic way. My eyes were filled with the most brilliant active light, and in a millisecond knew the reality of Jesus Christ. It literally took my breath away! Throughout my journey with God there have been sporadic supernatural experiences that evidenced heaven’s reality in a given moment of time.All throughout scripture there are countless supernatural happenings recorded that changed the lives of people and the direction of entire nations. How awesome is a burning bush out of which God speaks, or three Hebrew young men being thrown into a fiery furnace and coming out alive without even a trace of smoke? Jesus began by turning water into wine and ended by coming out of a grave! Jesus’ followers picked up where He left off, proclaiming the Kingdom with signs following. How easily we ignore all this evidence as we focus on other important aspects of our faith. We can spend inordinate amounts of time preaching how to live a good life, developing programs that do good works, attending meetings after meetings, yet ignore the awesome power God desires to be displayed on the earth through His willing servants…works that will possibly change lives and the face of nations.I have heard it taught my whole Christian life to be careful of experiences, to be careful of delving into the supernatural realm and settle for a more traditional, rationalistic walk of faith. This dampening caution leads to a Christian life without power. Particularly here in the West, if we can’t get our minds around something we tend to dismiss it, and at times be highly critical of such subjective, emotional pursuits.  We have been robbed! I long for the Church to pursue the supernatural realm as intensely as all the other necessary elements of our faith. We are missing the miracles, healings, signs and wonders that followed the One we are supposed to be followings.Am I discouraged? Not the least, because this is an exciting time to walk with our loving Friend, fully assured He is raising up hungry hearts all over the world desirous for the same thing. Though I may not see the full measure that’s in my heart during my lifetime, I certainly believe what has been so difficult for us to embrace today will be natural and commonplace for our children and our children’s children.                                                                              Love, John